Three Ways You Can Jump Start Better Health & Wellness

I swear as I get older, staying fit is so much harder. While I generally eat healthy and have a much more positive body image, it’s harder to stay fit and shed weight than it used to be (plus: where did these wrinkles appear from? Sigh, I digress).  As a 37-year old working mama, I could be in the Olympics for juggling. You get me, right? There’s a lot on my plate, and with that, my health can easily take a backseat. No longer. I’ve been re-prioritizing, with health and wellness at the top of the list.

For me, it’s not about losing a few lbs. (though I won’t argue about any side benefits!)… it’s about feeling healthy, strong and fit.

So what did I do, and what can you do?

Be honest with portions: A balanced diet is important, but it all starts with portion sizes. I could seriously inhale! I’ve seen my portions and my BLTs (bites, licks and tastes… lol, they add up!) starting to increase, especially with more frequent take-out dinners, even from pretty healthy spots. Engulfing 1,000 calories of good-for-you-food is still 1,000 calories.

Below is my typical breakfast… a great grain and nut bread (this one is about 60 calories per slice) with chunky almond butter and a banana–sometimes I’ll do one piece of toast with a hard-boiled egg for added protein–along with this Tropicana Probiotics juice, which I’m excited to share with you below. It’s a yummy, filling breakfast that gets me moving until lunch. Well, with coffee. Obv.

Boost the immune system: This is key because health is everything! Focus on eating “whole” foods, integrate probiotics, get enough sleep, exercise, and don’t smoke.

Do you know about probiotics? It’s a hot topic! They’re basically live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. There are good and bad bacteria; probiotics are the good, “helpful” kind. Doctors will suggest them to aid with digestive issues, and they’re a helpful addition to nearly any diet.

Historically, it’s been common to get probiotics from eating yogurt, but I’m honestly not a yogurt person. Needless to say, I was totally excited to hear that Tropicana now has a new line of probiotic juices. You can add a glass to breakfast — I LOVED the pineapple mango one so much but they’re all delicious — and it’s an ideal way to fuel your entire day. Each serving is packed with more than a full day’s vitamin C, is 100 percent real juice, and has no added sugar or artificial flavor.

The Tropicana Probiotics juices come in three flavors –  Strawberry Banana, Pineapple Mango and Peach Passion Fruit — and are available in the juice aisle at grocery stores. What I liked most is that they’re thicker than typical juice (not pulp-y, if that’s a word, but more like a juice/smoothie) so they provide that satisfying yet nutritious feeling.

Get moving! Lastly, there is no replacement for moving your body, getting in steps and working your muscles. Try a new fitness class — I’ve been doing spin classes at a local spot called CycleBar — and just started with a personal trainer. I’ve always considered that a bit frivolous but since I workout in my neighborhood gym (i.e. free), I’m seeing this as a way to invest in myself, learning the best and most effective movements for my body. Plus, learning all this will ultimately save me time. I have muscles hurting I didn’t even realize I had. Win!